The Club held its monthly meeting at the Dursley Community Centre, over 50 members were present with President Martin Lee in the Chair. After welcoming all present it was his pleasant duty to induct two new members, David Jennings and Roy King. He wished them both a long and happy association with the Club, sentiments that were reflected warmly by the whole meeting.

Next the President gave a very positive report on the recent overnight trip to East Devon. Despite serious traffic problems at the start, it had been a most successful trip enjoyed by all, thanks due to organiser Vice President Martin Budden who conceived and managed the project along with Past President Don Powell.

This month we visit the Brunel Museum in Bristol. Organiser Colin Wyatt has been able to arrange for us to have lunch on the SS Great Britain which will be an added bonus for the day.

It is some time since the Club enjoyed a theatre visit but one is proposed for November. We have arranged to visit the Everyman in Cheltenham to see a production of “The Messiah”, a comedy with an impressive star line.

Looking ahead to the new year, two past presidents Tom Potts and Brian Lamerton are putting together plans for a wine and cheese evening in January.

The President notified members that the 2019 annual holiday will be a four day visit to North Wales based at a hotel in Caernarfon commencing on 1st April. He outlined the proposed itinerary which will include visits to Caernarfon and Beaumaris Castles, the Welsh Highland Railway, a cruise on the Menai Strait and a visit to a slate mine.

Making a welcome return as speaker of the day was Tony Conder whose subject was “Canals and Railways.” The title of the talk could also have been “The Cycle of Transport” as this was how the presentation was structured. Tony described how the British canal system developed as an answer to the problems of inadequate roads for moving heavy goods produced by the Industrial Revolution. Horse drawn tramways fed the canals initially but at the beginning of the 19th Century these started to be steam powered. Ironically the first steam railway between Stockton and Darlington had originally been planned as a canal. Tony noted that the “railway mania” of the 19th Century, and their increased hauling power, resulted in many canals being transformed into railways and by the middle of the century the majority of goods were transported by rail. The 20th Century saw huge developments in the road system and gradually rail transport lost out to road haulage so completing the cycle. Tony pointed out that canals had been the dominant form of transport for the longest period of time and it is gratifying to see that there is a big rebirth of their fortunes as a place of recreation.

The Vote of Thanks was proposed by Past President Don Powell. There being no further business the President closed the meeting and members retired to the bar followed by lunch.